Fuel cartridge with connecting valve

Abstract

A shut-off valve or connecting valve capable of connecting a fuel supply to a fuel cell is disclosed. The valve comprises a first valve component and a second valve component. Each valve component has an outer housing and a biased slidable member disposed inside the housing forming an internal seal. During the connection process, the two valve components establish an inter-component seal. Afterward, in one suitable embodiment the slidable member moves inward and opens the internal seal in the valve component to establish a flow path. In another embodiment, the slidable member moves inward and exposes a first filler and the first filler abuts a second filler in the other valve component to establish a flow path. In other embodiments, at least one valve component is sized and dimensioned to limit access to the internal seal.

We claim: 
     
       1. A valve comprising:
 a first valve component connected to a fuel supply, 
 a second hollow tube connected to a fuel cell, wherein the first valve component connects to the second hollow tube to form a fluid flow path through the valve and the first valve component comprises an internal seal and a leading member sized and dimensioned to limit access to the internal seal, wherein the second hollow tube is inserted into the leading member to open the internal seal and a fuel from the fuel supply is transportable to the fuel cell through the hollow tube, 
 wherein the fuel cell is adapted to supply electricity to an electronic device, and 
 wherein the leading member is sized and dimensioned to limit access to the internal seal by a user's finger. 
 
     
     
       2. The valve of  claim 1  further comprises a material comprising an additive that mixes with the fuel. 
     
     
       3. The valve of  claim 1  further comprising an absorbent material. 
     
     
       4. The valve of  claim 3 , wherein the absorbent material comprises at least one of cross-linked polyacrylic acid salts, polyvinyl alcohol, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), poly(ethylene oxide), isobutylene-maleic acid copolymers, poly(methacrylic acid) salts, polyacrylaminde, or polyvinylpyrrolidone. 
     
     
       5. A valve comprising:
 a first valve component connected to a fuel supply, 
 a second hollow tube connected to a fuel cell, wherein the first valve component connects to the second hollow tube to form a fluid flow path through the valve and the first valve component comprises an internal seal and a leading member sized and dimensioned to limit access to the internal seal, wherein the second hollow tube is inserted into the leading member to open the internal seal and a fuel from the fuel supply is transportable to the fuel cell through the hollow tube, 
 wherein the fuel cell is adapted to supply electricity to an electronic device, and 
 wherein the leading member is sized and dimensioned to limit access to the internal seal the pulp of a user's finger. 
 
     
     
       6. The valve of  claim 5  further comprises a material comprising an additive that mixes with the fuel. 
     
     
       7. The valve of  claim 5  further comprising an absorbent material. 
     
     
       8. The valve of  claim 7 , wherein the absorbent material comprises at least one of cross-linked polyacrylic acid salts, polyvinyl alcohol, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), poly(ethylene oxide), isobutylene-maleic acid copolymers, poly(methacrylic acid) salts, polyacrylaminde, or polyvinylpyrrolidone. 
     
     
       9. A valve comprising:
 a first valve component connected to a fuel supply, 
 a second hollow tube connected to a fuel cell, wherein the first valve component connects to the second valve hollow tube to form a fluid flow path through the valve and the first valve component comprises an internal seal and a leading member sized and dimensioned to limit access to the internal seal, wherein the second hollow tube is inserted into the leading member to open the internal seal and a fuel from the fuel supply is transportable to the fuel cell through the hollow tube, 
 wherein the fuel cell is adapted to supply electricity to an electronic device, and 
 wherein an inner diameter of the leading member is about 10 mm or less. 
 
     
     
       10. The valve of  claim 9 , wherein the inner diameter of the leading member is about 5 mm or less. 
     
     
       11. The valve of  claim 9  further comprises a material comprising an additive that mixes with the fuel. 
     
     
       12. The valve of  claim 9  further comprising an absorbent material. 
     
     
       13. The valve of  claim 12 , wherein the absorbent material comprises at least one of cross-linked polyacrylic acid salts, polyvinyl alcohol, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), poly(ethylene oxide), isobutylene-maleic acid copolymers, poly(methacrylic acid) salts, polyacrylaminde, or polyvinylpyrrolidone. 
     
     
       14. A valve comprising:
 a first valve component connected to a fuel supply, 
 a second hollow tube connected to a fuel cell, wherein the first valve component connects to the second hollow tube to form a fluid flow path through the valve and the first valve component comprises an internal seal and a leading member sized and dimensioned to limit access to the internal seal, wherein the second hollow tube is inserted into the leading member to open the internal seal and a fuel from the fuel supply is transportable to the fuel cell through the hollow tube, 
 wherein the fuel cell is adapted to supply electricity to an electronic device, and 
 wherein a depth of the leading member is about 2 mm or more. 
 
     
     
       15. The valve of clam  14 , wherein the depth of the leading member is about 5 mm Or more. 
     
     
       16. The valve of  claim 14  further comprises a material comprising an additive that mixes with the fuel. 
     
     
       17. The valve of  claim 14  further comprising an absorbent material. 
     
     
       18. The valve of  claim 17 , wherein the absorbent material comprises at least one of cross-linked polyacrylic acid salts, polyvinyl alcohol, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), poly(ethylene oxide), isobutylene-maleic acid copolymers, poly(methacrylic acid) salts, polyacrylaminde, or polyvinylpyrrolidone.